Having sold real estate on Hilton Head Island, SC for the past 30 years, I have learned to ask the questions buyers fail to ask themselves. Many buyers are so focused on their future in a resort community they fail to consider things that will affect their lifestyle once they are here.
Questions to ask prior to purchasing anything in a resort area are:
1. What are the fees for living in a given community? Each community may have its own Property owner association fees to cover common area maintenance, security, pools, etc.
2. Are there covenants and restrictions to the community? Most do and should have them.
3. Are short term rentals allowed? Short term renters are weekly vacationers who check in and out every weekend. This does not allow for a neighborly feeling, plus it can be noisy, especially if there is a pool close by. This great if you want to be in the "action".
4. What amenities do you have living in a certain community? Are these amenities free or is there a cost involved?
5. What are the cost involved with the community club if they have one? What does it cost to join? Is there a monthly minimum in the dining room? Is there a locker fee? Can you have your own golf cart? What is the trail fee for having a cart? Can you drive your cart on the roads in the community? What are the dues? Have there been assessments in the past? Any upcoming assessments? Are there charges for tennis, pools, health club etc.? Who owns the club? Who controls the cost? How much have the dues gone up in the past 5 years?
6. Find out about security for the community. Ask about crime.
7. Is the community open to the public? Does that matter to you?
8. How close is shopping for day to day items?
9. If there is a beach, how close are you, and is there parking available and if so is there a fee?
10. What sort of cost is involved with closing on a resort property? Does the community have transfer fees? Does the town have transfer fees? Who pays these? You will be told the buyers pays these, but I have found this to be negotiable.
11. What medical facilities are close by?
12. What is there for kids to do? You want the grandchildren to come see you, don't you.
13. What type of community do you want? There are two types: Resort/Residential or Residential/Resort, and yes there is a difference. Resort/Residential puts more importance on the vacationer than on the residents while Residential/Resort focuses on the residents.
14. What type of people live in the community and are these the type of people you want to be around?
15. What activities does the area offer? Are there restaurants, theater, churches, clubs and organizations to join etc. You will want more than just a golf course.
16. Does your realtor work for a developer or are they an independent who can show you anything and has no loyalty to anyone but you? How long has your realtor lived in the area? This is very important. You want someone who knows the area inside and out.
17. Ask about insurance and availability.
18. If buying in a condo community, find out who the regime manager is. They are the people who manage the community. Call them and ask how strong the community is financially, what problems they have, do they pay enough to maintain the property the way it should be and how long have they been associated with the community. Also ask about past assessments and the potential for future assessments.
19. Call the local law enforcement and find out if the neighborhood you are looking at has a problem with crime.
20. Ask about traffic during different times of the year.
21. Ask about local government and taxes.
Questions to ask prior to purchasing anything in a resort area are:
1. What are the fees for living in a given community? Each community may have its own Property owner association fees to cover common area maintenance, security, pools, etc.
2. Are there covenants and restrictions to the community? Most do and should have them.
3. Are short term rentals allowed? Short term renters are weekly vacationers who check in and out every weekend. This does not allow for a neighborly feeling, plus it can be noisy, especially if there is a pool close by. This great if you want to be in the "action".
4. What amenities do you have living in a certain community? Are these amenities free or is there a cost involved?
5. What are the cost involved with the community club if they have one? What does it cost to join? Is there a monthly minimum in the dining room? Is there a locker fee? Can you have your own golf cart? What is the trail fee for having a cart? Can you drive your cart on the roads in the community? What are the dues? Have there been assessments in the past? Any upcoming assessments? Are there charges for tennis, pools, health club etc.? Who owns the club? Who controls the cost? How much have the dues gone up in the past 5 years?
6. Find out about security for the community. Ask about crime.
7. Is the community open to the public? Does that matter to you?
8. How close is shopping for day to day items?
9. If there is a beach, how close are you, and is there parking available and if so is there a fee?
10. What sort of cost is involved with closing on a resort property? Does the community have transfer fees? Does the town have transfer fees? Who pays these? You will be told the buyers pays these, but I have found this to be negotiable.
11. What medical facilities are close by?
12. What is there for kids to do? You want the grandchildren to come see you, don't you.
13. What type of community do you want? There are two types: Resort/Residential or Residential/Resort, and yes there is a difference. Resort/Residential puts more importance on the vacationer than on the residents while Residential/Resort focuses on the residents.
14. What type of people live in the community and are these the type of people you want to be around?
15. What activities does the area offer? Are there restaurants, theater, churches, clubs and organizations to join etc. You will want more than just a golf course.
16. Does your realtor work for a developer or are they an independent who can show you anything and has no loyalty to anyone but you? How long has your realtor lived in the area? This is very important. You want someone who knows the area inside and out.
17. Ask about insurance and availability.
18. If buying in a condo community, find out who the regime manager is. They are the people who manage the community. Call them and ask how strong the community is financially, what problems they have, do they pay enough to maintain the property the way it should be and how long have they been associated with the community. Also ask about past assessments and the potential for future assessments.
19. Call the local law enforcement and find out if the neighborhood you are looking at has a problem with crime.
20. Ask about traffic during different times of the year.
21. Ask about local government and taxes.
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